15 Outstanding Sites Using Texture
January 20th, 2010 by 15 Outstanding Sites Using Texture
In previous posts, we have hit on various aspects of graphic and web design from color to fonts to layout. Texture is one of those graphic elements that, if used correctly, can really make a good design great or a great design exceptional. Texture is a way to truly invoke the senses and make your design come to life, and it is actually used in all of our design work whether we know it or not. Texture can be actually or visual; however, if done correctly, the visual texture can be just as powerful as the real thing. With actual texture, we can move our fingers across a page and actually feel the smoothness, roughness, or silkiness of the texture itself.
In web design, the designer is limited, because our design palette does not allow for us to use actual texture, thus we must be that much better at using visual texture in order to truly create a sensory experience for our viewers. There are many ways to use and places to use texture in your design, and here are some great examples of websites that use texture to make their pages outstanding. Use them for inspiration or just aspiration! Either way, enjoy!
Carbonica
This site used a creative textured header that gives a great natural and casual feel, which you can see is the intent of the website designer. In addition, the designer used texture in so many details including the typography, search and subscribe input controls, and the background. Each of the texture is slightly different, but they all compliment each other well.
NK’MIP
This website incorporates a really interesting textured background which gives the site such depth and interest. With this site, the designer used a texture that is difficult to determine what exactly it is, but it at the same time it invokes a feeling where you truly feel you can touch and feel it. Also, the designer used a roughed edge on the site, which I think is a great touch for the style.
Spout Creative
This site is a great example of how just a small about of texture can add so much to a website’s style. This page uses subtle water-colored texture which makes the site very interesting and eye-catching.
Web Designer Wall
This site is very busy and has a lot of design elements going on at the same time, so the designer was very clever in using texture draw the viewer’s eye to the important parts of the page. For example, the designer places textured elements behind the article titles, the menu, search box, and the dates. Furthermore, the designer texturized the RSS feed and the contact button, which helps us notice them despite their small size.
Helmy Bern
I really like how this website used the torn paper textured element, because it gives the website a rough and edgy feel, which is perfect for the content of the page. The textured torn cardboard looks almost real, and I think the designer did a great job with that element.
Edit Studios
This site gives a great example that textured sites do not always have to give an earthy, natural feel. This site implements subtle texture to truly make this simple site much more interesting. One interesting note is that the top of the page contains textured elents, where as the bottom of the page does not. If you compare the header to the footer, it is evident how texture can really improve a site’s design.
Design Fabrika
This site uses the popular wood textured element, which I think is interesting especially when paired with the multi-colored background. It is not my favorite use of texture, but it was added to the list because I found it interesting.
ArtFlavours
This site uses a lot of texture and it is clear that the designer enjoys using texture in their designs, because even within the portfolios the designer uses a lot of texture. I like how bold this designer is with the use of texture, though this may be an example when less may have been more. However, this is the best example of fabric texture I have seen in awhile.
LE WEB DEFI
This site speaks for itself, because its background is exceptional. The designer was able to create a denim texture that looks as close to the real thing as I have even seen. The site is very fresh and interesting, and I just love how the twitter, facebook, and digg icons look as if they are appearing out of little torn holes in the denim. Small design elements can make a site truly exceptional.
Versions
This has been one of my favorite sites for a long time. I actually mentioned this site in a post I wrote on colors, saying that it did a great job of using color to draw attention to the important design elements. I also must say that this site does an amazing job implementing textured design, which though subtle, truly makes the site so aesthetically pleasing.
Think Up
When looking at this page, I cannot tell if I am looking at a school folder or an actual website. It is so realistic, and I think the crumpled paper textured design element is so clever and orginal. The designer also places small amounts of texture through the page, which adds great interest to the design.
Tennessee Education
This site uses a variety of textured elements, which makes for a busy site, but some of those elements are really interesting in unique if used on their own. May not be a site you want to aspire to, but it is surely a great example of texture being used in a site to draw attention.
Corvus
Does this page even need explanation? I think the design speaks for itself on this one. Great example of how texture can make a site exceptional, and koodos to the designer.
Custodial Abuse
The texture in this page gives a very personal feel. With the seriousness of the content topic, the textures softens the page and gives the viewer a warm, personable feeling. Also, the designer paired clean lines with a rough background on the site, which I think gives a unique feel.
Brown Blog Films
This site is just fun all around, and the texture gives a really cool vibe to the page. Of course we have to make note of the wood, rusted background and the green foliage, but in my opinion, what makes this site exceptional is the very subtle use of the rope textured element. How cool is that! This is a very interesting textured site.
Teylor Feliz is a well-known XHTML/CSS/JavaScript enthusiast from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He has more than 10 years experience in the computer programming and development world, including 2 years teaching computer science. He is currently living in Louisiana, where he plans to complete his degree in Computer Science, and begin a Masters in the field.
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